Production of secondary and tertiary amines from nitrogen compounds



Patented July 31, 1945,

mam

' rnopuc'norz or my Amps rormns SECONDARY AND TIB- FBOM NITROGEN OOH- williamflmermllrbanmm.

No Drawing. am December 10, mo, Serial no. new

4 Claims. (OI. zoo-s11) are to provide a simple and economical method of obtaining N-alkylated or N-aralkylated amines by the reduction with hydrogen of an aldehyde or a ketone and an amine, nitro, nitroso, or also .compound or an intermediate condensation product of the specified carbonyl compounds and one of the nitrogen compounds. Another object of the invention is to provide a method of such reductive almlation of nitrogen compounds whereby the yield of secondary N-monoalkylated or tertiary N-dialkylated amines may be controlled to the etrtent of suppressing or entirely eliminating the formation of the undesired alkylated amines. Other objects and advantages of the invention, some of which are specifically referred to hereinafter, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 332,975, filed May 2, 1940, of which this application is a continuation-in-part, I have disclosed that by reducing a mixture of an aldehyde and tion conditions maintained by the addition of sodium acetate or other alkali-metal salts of weak organic acids favor the formation of secondary amines while acid conditions maintained by the addition of trimethylamine hydrochloride, acetic acid or the like, favor the formation of tertiary amines.-

Although I refer to neutral or-basic and acid conditions or media throughout this specification it is not to be understood that acidity or alkalinity in and of itself is directly responsible for the improvements specified. Sodium acetate, acetic acid or trimethylamine hydrochloride do change the pit! or hydrogen-ion concentration of the reaction mixture but they probably act by virtue of their ability to favor certain condensation reactions or the like rather than as a result of their acidity. Sodium hydroxide, for example, which produces alkaline media, hinders reaction. Hence it-is to be understood that when acid or basic media or conditions are referred to these terms are used merely for convenience to classify the variouskinds ofcondensing agents which are added to the reactionmixture.

. When the carbonyl compound used in such reactions is a ketone instead of an aldehyde, somewhat more drastic reaction conditions, such as higher temperatures, are necessary to Produce secondary amines in neutral or; slightly basic media. Ketones do not yield tertiary amines in neutral or slightly basic media. In acid media,

a nitro or amino compound with hydrogen in the presence of a platinum or Raney nickel reduction catalyst under neutral or slightly alkaline reaction conditions, secondary amines are formed while the simultaneous formation of tertiary amines is, suppressed or entirely avoided. Such neutral or slightly basic or alkaline conditions are obtained by placing in the reaction mixture-undergoing hydrogenation an alkali-metal salt of a weak organic acid such as sodium acetate,

"sodium carbonate, sodium stearate or the like.

I have also shown in my co-pending application that if acid conditions are maintained in a; similar reaction mixture, for example, by the presence of trimethylamine hydrochloride in the reaction mixture, tertiary amines arerformed to the exclusion or suppression of secondary amines.

I have discovered that in such reductive aikyla tions with nitrogen compounds and carbonyl compounds. that neutral or slightly basic reacon the other hand, ketonesyield secondary instead of tertiary amines, even under drastic reaction conditions such as elevated temperatures of reaction and concentrated acid. I

I have also discovered that besides amines and nitro compounds, other nitrogen compounds such as nitroso and azo compounds, for example, nitrosobenzene and aaobensene, may be used in the Y reactions. Furthermore, I have found that substituents such as hydroxyl and amino radicals in the nitrogen compound have an activating eiiect on the reaction. Thus, when an aromatic nitrogen compound contains an amino or a hydroxyl group ortho, or particularly, para, to

the nitro, amino, nitroso or am group, the reductive alkylation of such substituted compound with ketones progresses more rapidly to the formation of secondary amines while with aldehydes, I

reaction is also accelerated and tertiary amines are formed in either basic or acid media. Alkyl groups substituted in the benzene ring also have a mild activating influence which is less pronounced than that of amino or hydroxyl groups, however. .In the case of azo compounds, hydroxy or dimethylamine group either ortho or para to the sac group, have an activating influence and ertiaryaminesareformedinalkalineoraeid media.

The methods'of adopting the present discoveries and those of my co-pending application, Serial No. 332,975, to the production oi secondary or tertiary amines by reductive alkylation are set forth in the examples which follow hereinafter, but may be briefly summarised as follows:

A. Secondary amines may be made by the reaction of hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation caialyst on a reaction mixture comprising:

' lyst at high temperatures in: substituents, as in 1, together with v a ketone in an acid medium or in an alkaline medium under more drastic reaction conditions.

B. Tertiary amines may be made by the reaction of hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst on a reaction mixture comprising:

i. A nitrogen compound (nitro, amino, ni-

troso or azo compound) with or without activating substituents, together with an aldehyde in acid media, or

2. A secondary amine together with an aidehyde in an acid medium.

Ketones are inactive or are not as reactive as aldehydes in the formation of tertiary amines, either in acid or alkaline media, even under drastic reaction conditions. They may be advantageous'ly used, however, in the production of secondary amines in accordance with the processes summarized above, especially when used in an acid instead of an alkalinemedium. The reaction of primary aromatic amines with aldehydes, particularly formaldehyde, in acid media, i's'complicated by the formation of tarry condensation products of the type of anhydroformaidehyde-aniline and the like and hence, to avoid such formation of condensation products, resort should be made to primary aromatic nitro compounds orthe like as starting materials; such condensation products do not readily form betweenprimary aromatic amines and ketones or secondary aromatic amines and either aldehydes or ketones and hence reaction mixtures containing these compounds may be used; When formaldehyde is usedin any reaction mlxtm'eundel' acid conditions complications are also likely to result from polymerization of. the formaldehyde. These complications do not result with acetaldehyde or higher aldehydes when used in the acid reaction mixtures contemplated by the present'invention, however.- The reductive alkylation product of formaldehyde and primary aromatic amines, furthermore,

don concentration) of even in alkaamines'vary somewhat and hence one will be preferable to another. The processes also differ in the proportion of secondary ortertiary amines which are formed. By using hetones to prepare .secondary amines, for example, it is possible to operate in such a manner that no substantial proportion of tertiary amine is formed as a byproduct, which may be highly desirable, whereasinareactionwherethetertiaryamineisthe desired product it may be more economical to adopt an alternative which gives a high yield of tertiary amine that may be contaminated with small proportions of secondary amines in preference to one which gives a small yield of tertiary amine uncontaminated with secondary amines, since secondary amines can be converted in a separate subsequent step to tertiary amines.-

It is lmown that secondary and tertiary amines have been prepared by reductive alkylation by the use of nascent hydrogen generated in situ from the reaction of a metal and an acid. or by the use of. hydrogen gas in the presence of a nickel cata- (50 to 200" C.) and under high pressures (50 to 150 atmospheres). That such reactions could be conducted with hydrogen gas in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under relatively mild reaction conditions (room temperature andpressures of about 2 to 4 atmospheres) by the use of the specified acids or salts which modify the acidity (pH or hydrogenthe reaction medium and serve as condensing agents or modify the reaction in some other manner, was unexpected.

By means of the processes of the invention it has been possible to prepare in an advantageous manner amines w ,n have not been heretofore prepared or which could not be prepared by heretofore known methods. Since the methods disclosed herein show how alkylation may be stopped at the formation of the secondary amine the methods are useful for the preparation of tertiary amines having two diilerent alkyl substituents on the amino nitrogen atom in an advantageous manner.

In the examples which follow, typical methods of practicing the process of my invention are set. forth:

Exmu I N-ethylaniline using ocetaldehyde and alkaline conditions- Into an apparatus for catalytic reduction, preferably provided with a stirrer or means for shaking, are placed 93 grams (about 1 mol) of aniline dissolved in 1500 cc. of 95% ethyl alcohol and about88 grams (about 2 mols) of acetaldehyde, 10 to 20 grams of fused sodium acetate, and about 30 grams of Raney nickel catalyst, which may be prepared by the method of Covert and Adkins described in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1932, vol. 54, page 4116. Other meth ods of preparing Raney nickel catalysts are described in U. 8. Patents 1,563,587;v 1,628,190; 1,915,473; and 2,139,802. The apparatus is evacuated and then an initial pressure of about 3 atmospheres (45 lbs. per square. inch) of hydrogen is applied. The apparatus is maintained at room temperature and the hydrogen is maintained at apressure of about 8 atmospheres dur-- a By substituting butyraldehyde for acetaldehyde more depending upon the rate of absorption, the reduction is stopped and the catalyst is removed by filtration. The solution is acidified slightly and the alcohol is distilled off. The remaining oil is then made slightly alkaline and fractionated, I

under vacuum if desired. N-ethy'laniline has a distilling point of 204' C. The yield is about 58% of the theoretical, based on the aniline used.

Exmu: II

N-n-heptylaniline using heptaldehude and alkaline conditions By proceeding as in Example I, using from 2 to 5 mols of heptaldehyde instead of acetaldehyde and fractionating the product in vacuum, N-nheptylanillne is obtained.

H-n-heptylaniline has a boiling point of 125 to 130 C. at a pressure of 30 mm., a specific gravity of 0.906 at 20/20 C. and a refractive index at 20 C. of 1.5080 for the sodium D line.

EXAIPLI I11 N-n-butyl-alpha-naphthvlamine usind butvrak dehyde and alkaline conditions By proceeding as in Example I but substituting butyraldehyde for acetaldehyde and alpha-naphthylamine for aniline in molecular proportions, and fractionating the product in vacuum, N-nbutyl-alpha-naphthylamine is obtained in 80% of the theoretical yield. I

The new compound, N-n-butyl-alpha-naphthylamine, has a boiling point of 155 to 167 C.

at a pressure of 8 mm., a specific gravity of 1.004

at 20/20 and a refractive index of 1.5963 at 20 3 C. for the sodium 1) line. Its hydrochloride melts at 151 to 152 C.

Exmu IV N-ethyl-p-anisidine using acetaldehyde and alkaline conditions EXAMPLE v N-n-butyl-p-anisidine using butvraldelwde and amaline conditions in molecular proportions in Example IV and pro-. ceeding as therein described, N-n-butyl' p-anisidine is obtained in 65% yield.

This new compound, N-n-butyl-p-anisidine, has a'boiling point of 142 to 145 C. at a pressure of 6 mm.. a specific gravity 'of 0.963 at- 20/20 and a refractive index of 1.5207 at 20 C. for the sodium D line. Its hydrochloridemelts at 187.5 to 188 C.

Exmrm: VI

N-n-butylaniline from nitrobenzene and butyraldehyde under alkaline conditions Into an autoclave provided with a stirrer are placed 123 grams (about 1 mol) of freshly distilled nitrobenzene, 20 grams of fused sodium acetate, 1500 cc. of 95% ethyl alcohol, 94 grams (about 1.3 mol) of freshly distilled nbutyraldehyde and 30 grams of Raney nickel catalyst. The autoclave is evacuated and thereafter an initial and after evaporation of the ether, fractionally pressure of 3 atmospheres of hydrogen is applied to the autoclave and the mixture is maintained at room temperature. After about 4 mols of hydrogen have been absorbed, the reduction is stopped and the catalyst is removed by filtration or decantation. The filtrate is made slightly acid with hydrochloric acid and the alcohol is distilled on. The residue is then'diluted with about 1000 cc. of water and made slightly alkaline with sodium hydroxide. It may be subsequently extracted with ether and the extracts combined distilled. However, the original residue without dilution with water may be made basic and then subjected to vacuum distillation. The product, N-n-butylaniline, is obtained in a yield of about 77% to 81% of the theoretical and has a boiling point'of 235 to 245 C.

Exmm VII -'di-n-but11l-m-aminophenol from p-nitrophenol and uidtyraldehyde under alkaline conditions when p-nitrophenol is substituted in Example VI for nitrobenzene and butyraldehyde is present I in excess, the product obtained is substantially'all v N-di-n-butyl-p-aminopl'i'enol. It is difficult to get any yield of secondary amine in thi reaction because of the presence of the activating hydroxyl group in the para position. I

Exaurns VIII p-chloro-n-butylaniline from p-chloronitrobenacne and butyraldehy'de under alkaline conditime By substituting p-chloronitrobenzene for nitrobenzene in molecular proportions in Example VI, the product obtained consists of unalkylated pchloroanlline, a fraction boiling at to C. at 25 mm., consisting of n-butylaniline and pohloro-n-butylaniline, and higher boiling fractions in which occurs p-chloro-n-butylaniline.

- The yield in this'case indicates that chlorinesubstituentg have no activating influence since the yield is substantially identical with that obtained when nitrobenzene is reacted under the same conditions. The lack of activating influence of the chlorine is shown more than anything else by the presence of unalkylated p-chloroaniline in the reaction mixture.

EXAMPLE IX N-di-n-he tm-p-toluiame irom p-nitrotoluene anti heptaldehyde under alkaline conditions By substituting heptaldeln/de for butyraldehyde and p-nitrotoluene for nitrobenzene in molecular proportions in Example VI and proceeding as therein otherwise described, N-mono-n-heptyl-ptoluidine and N-di-n-heptyl-p-toluidine are ob b tained, the latter in ayield of 34% of the theoretical. The latter compound, N-di-n-heptyl-p-toluidin, is a new compoundv and has a boiling P i t of to 200 C. at a pressure of 2.5 mm., a specifie gravity of 0.943 at 20/20 and a refractive index of 1.5089 at 20 C. for the sodium D line. 'Its hydrochloride melts at 136 C. 'Ih'e methyl group of the nitrotoluene has a mild activating influonce, the formation of both secondary and tertiary amines being a result thereof.

.Exurrmx N-ethylanlline using acetaldehyde, alkaline conditions and platinum catalyst By substituting 2 grams of a platinum oxide 75 catalyst prepared accordingto the method of Adams, Voorhees and Shriner ("Organic'Syn'theses", Coll. Vol. I, 1932, page 452) for the Bane! nickel catalyst andproceeding otherwise as in Example I, N-ethylaniline is obtained in a yield by- Reilly and Hickinbottom, J. Chem. Soc.'oi London, 1918. vol. 113, page 99.

Exnur-zXIII Adams, Voorhees and Shriner (Organic Syntheses," Collective volume I, 1932, page 452) and the mixture was shaken n the machine for 96 hours during which time 0.66 mol of hydrogen was absorbed. After this hydrogenation the mixture was acidified with 17' cc. of dilute hydrochloric acid and the platinum catalyst was removed by filtration. The alcohol was evaporated from the filtrate, the residue was then made alkialine with sodium hydroxide and extracted with e her. extract and the product was distilled. The boiling range of the N-di-n-butylaniline was 265 to 275 C. and 14.5 grams of the product were obtained, which corresponds to a yield of 71%. based on the nitrobenzene. The product was further identified by means of its picrate, which had a melting point of 123 to 125 C. The

The ether was removed from the ether of 41% 0f the 'bhweucal- 5 N-n-di-n-butulaniline using nitrobenzene and N-banzill-d p p il By using 3 grams of Raney nickel catalyst inhilde and alkaline cmiditim stead of the platinum catalyst in Example XII By substituting benzamehyde f r acewdehyde l and 2 grams of trimethylamine hydrochloride inand alphamapmhylamme for aniline m molecm stead of the acetic acid, and using 36.9 grams proportions in Example I and proceeding as (0.3 mol) of nitrobenzene, so that the ratio of Otherwise therein indicated, benzybalphamapm nitrobenzene to butyraldehyde is 1:1, a yield of thylamine is obtained. Its benzamide has a melt- 8 N-dl-n-butylamlme is (The Yield ing point of 103 to 104 C. 7 IS 98% based on the aldehyde consumed.)

' The use of larger ratios of aldehyde in this I preparation results in lower yields of the tertiary Reductive alkylation of nitrobenzm with butyrinealdehyde in media of varying acidities EXAMPLE XIV l P eflect of various of added agents and Tertiary amines using nitro commands, acid conacldlty engendered by their use, as well as the indmom and platinum catalysts fiuence of other factors, is illustrated in the 01- I lowing results. In these tests, the specified quan- Adopting the method of Example XII, using tity oi butyraldehyde was reacted with 0.10 mol glacial acetic acid to provide the acid medium of nitrobenzene in the presence of 3 grams of and platinum catalyst and substituting the ap- Raney nickel catalyst. The pH represents the propriate aldehyde and nitro compound, the folacidity of the reaction mixture as observed on a lowing yields 01 the respective aliphatic and aro- Hellige pH meter. The yields are expressed as per matic tertiary amines were obtained. (Melting cent of secondary (N-n-butylaniline) and tertiary points of derivatives used for identification puramines (N-di-n-butylaniline) respectively, poses are listed in last column.)

M015 M018 Per cent yield Run hydro: butymlde: Solvent Condensing agent pH ifiibii in? g gg gggg 0.56 0. 30; Alcohol... 2 g. sodium acetate 8. 81 0.42 0.10 d. 8.81 o. 42 o. 12 do 8.81 0.39 0.13 d.o 8.81 0.44 0.13 do do 8.81 0. 40 l 0.13' Di0xane do 7.41 0. 41 0. l3 Alcoll 2 g. trimethyl amine hydrochloride. 4. 73 0.42 0.13 do 2g.sodium fol-mate 8.44 0.41 0.13 -.do-..- 2g. sodium carbonate 9.22 0. 43 0.13 .do 500.40% trimetllylamine 0. 95

ExAMrLn XII N-di-n-butylaniline using nitrobenzene, acid con- Yield Derivative thereof diiions and platinum catalyst Perm" Into the pressure bottle of a machine for catafifliiiiti gtttsg Z1 figitlfiaifiiffafil c. lytic reduction is placed a solution of 12.3 grams 3 gg gg gg gg Pimte'152454' (0.1 mol) of nitrobenzene, 21.6 grams (0.3 mol) 4 N-din-butylmeth yl- 56 ll qru g l gdgb$gd of butyraldehyde and 10 cc. of glacial acetic acid flmme- 1cm in 150 cc. of ethyl alcohol. To this solu- 5 liifif 92 f 183 185 tion was then added 0.1 gram of platinum oxide 55 6 L$ 45 catalyst prepared according to the method of The properties of the respective amines thus prepared were as follows:

Refrac- Specific grav- I Bolling range ity (200/2000) tllzzlnlljgex 4 N-di-nbutyl- 155-103" C; 0.782 1.4302

methylamine. 0 N-di-n-propylll0l22 O 0. 743 1.4076

methylsmine. 3 N disthyl-al- 155-165 C./30mm 1.016 1. 5961 phs-naphtllylamine.

EXAMPLE XV N-isopropylaniline using acetone and acid conditions' Substituting acetone for the acetaldehyde used melting point of the picrate is given as c. in Example I in equimolwlar amount and proceeding as otherwise therein described, a secondar amine, N-isopropylaniline, instead or a tertiary amine, was obtained in 54% yield. The N-isopropylaniiine had a boiling range of 198 to 207 C. and formed a benzamide derivative having a melting point of 63 to 85' C.

extracting the alkaline residue with ether, drying the ether extract over sodium hydroxide and N-isopropglmethglamine using acetone and acid conditions Acetone and nitromethane-when reacted according to the procedure 01 Example XII, produced N-isopropyimethylamine in 59% yield. The product had a boiling range of 45 to 55 C. andwas identified as a picrate having a melting point of 133 to 135 C.

Exmnl: XVII N-benzgl-lV-n-but/glaniline using N-ben zglphenlhudromulamine and acid conditions of 2:1 according to the procedure of Example am, using platinum catalyst and acetic acid in the reaction mixture.

N-benzyl-N-n-butylaniline distills at 175 to 182 C. at a pressure of 10 mm., and has a specific gravity (/20 C.) of 1.019 and a refractive index of 1.5810 at 20 C. for the sodium D line. Its picrate has a melting point 01 126 to 128 C.

By using sodium acetate instead of acetic acid and Raney nickel catalyst instead of a platinum catalyst, as in Example I, N-benzylphenyihydroxylamine and butyraldehyde in the molecular ratio or 1:2 produced Nebenzylaniline in 54% yield without the formation or any quantity of N --benz glaniline N-n-heptglaniline Q a. m

subsequently distiliating the extract.

The yield of N-n-butylaniline, a secondaryamine, was 71% and the product was identified as the p-bromobenzene-sulionamide which had a melting point or 85 to 86 0.

I Emma x x aeobenzene and alkaline edinm Substituting an equivalent amount ofheptaldehyde for the bu-tyraldehyde 01 Example XVIII and proceeding as therein otherwise indicated, N-n-heptyianiline was obtained in 74% yield and was identified as the p-bromobenzenesulionamide having a melting point of 114 to 115 C.

In the case of higher molecular weight amines, such as N-n-heptylaniline, the reaction mixture after hydrogenation need not be acidified before evaporation of the solvent (alcohol).

Exmnnxx using azobenzene and alkaline conditions By the procedure of Example XVIII, substituting benzaldehyde in an equivalent'amount N -benzylphenylthe tertiary amine, N-benzyl-N-n-butylaniline,

that could'be isolated.

EXAIIPL! XVIII Nm-hutylaniline using azobenzene and alkaline medium Into a machine for catalytic reduction was placed a solution of 18.2 grams (0.1 moi) of a20- benzene, 18.0 grams (0.25 mol) of butyraldehyde and 2 grams of fused sodium acetate dissolved in 150 cc. of 95% alcohol. To this solution was then added about 10 grams, of Raney nickel catalyst. From 2 to 40 grams of Raney nickel catalyst give satisfactory results but 10 grams give a smooth andra-pid reduction. Hydrogen was passed into the mixture while the machine was shaking until 0.3-to 0.4 mol had been taken up, the period required being approximately 1 to 2 hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration, the filtrate was acidified with hydrochloric acid and the alcohol was evaporated. The product was recovered by making the residue alkaline,

forthe butyraldehyde, N-benzylaniline was obtained in 49% yield. The product, N-benzylaniline, was identified as the hydrochloride, having a melting point of'210 to 212 C.

Exmnn XXI N difliethgl-M-di-n-butyl p-phenglenediamine using iv-dimethyl-p aminoazobenzene and alkaline conditions Substituting N -dimethyl-p-aminoazobenzene in an equivalent amount for azobenzene and proceeding as otherwise specified in Example XVIII,

the ,products, N-dimethyl-N- di n butyl-pphenyienediamine in 76% yield and N-n-butylaniline in 73% yield were obtained. The picrate or N-dimethyl-N'- di-n-butyi p phenylenediamine has a melting point of 121 to 122 c.

The presence of'the amino (or aligvl or dialkylamino) group para to the azo group has an activating influence and instead of getting solely a secondary amine, as would be obtained under alkaline conditions with an unsubstituted azo compound, a tertiary amine is obtained. The activating influence of ahydroxy group is shown in the two next examples (XXII and xxm) 'ExsurnriXXII N-di-n-butMl-p-aminophenol using p-hgdromgaeobeneene and alkaline conditions Substituting an equivalent amount of p-hydroxyazobenzene for the azobenzene in Example xvm and proceeding as therein otherwise indicated, the tertiary amine, N-di-n-butyl-p-aminophenol, was obtained in 46% yield. 'I"he product was isolated as the benzoate by treating the reaction mixture with benzoyl chloride and aqueous alkali.

The benzoate of N-di-n-butyl-p-aminophenol, after recrystallization from acetic acid, has a melting point oi 282 to 233 C.

Emma: m1

Utilizing the procedure of Example XVIII, bysubstituting l-phenylazo-z-napthol for azoben-.

acne in equivalent amount, the tertiary amine 1- (N-di-n-butylamino) -2-naphthol was obtained in assesso- 41% yield. The product was isolated by adding-1 water to the reaction mixture after half of the alcohol had been distilled.

l-(N-di-n-butylamino) -2-naphthol has a melting point of 106 to 107 C. and darkens rapidly on standing. It forms a hydrochloride that melts at 225 to 227 C. and which is more stable than the free amine.

The foregoing'reactions with azo compounds may also be conducted in acid media to obtain a preponderance of tertiary amines.

EXAlilPLE my N-n-butylaniline using nitrosobenzene and alkaline conditions EXAMPLE XXV N-benzylaniline using nitrosobenzene and alkaline conditions Using the foregoing procedures, N-benzylaniline was obtained in 35% yield by the reductive alkylation of nitroso-benzene (0.1 mol) and benzaldehyde (0.1 mol) in the presence of Raney nickel catalyst (5 grams) and sodium acetate (2 grams). From the reaction mixture some aniline is also recoverable.

In the two foregoing examples (XXIV and XXV) the use of nitrosobenzene in the reductive alkylation required larger quantities of catalyst than would be required for the corresponding reduction of nitro or amino compounds and the yields of secondary amines is lower and the product is contaminated with tars. The preparation of secondary amines from aromatic nitroso compounds requires a greater degree of control of the reaction than nitro or amino compounds.

The processes of the invention are applicable to the reductive alkylation of various nitrogen compounds, including aliphatic and aromatic amines such as methylamine, ethylamine, propylamines, butylamines, amylamines, aniline, p-

toluidine, p anisidine, alpha naphthylamine, beta-naphthylamine, phenylpropylamines (phenylaminopropanes) and the like; aliphatic and aromatic nitro compounds such as nitromethane, nitroethane', nitropropanes, nitrobutanes, nitropentanes, nitrobenzenes, nitrotoluenes, nitrophenols, nitroanisoles, chlorinated nitrobenzenes, nitronaphthalenes, nitronaphthols, nitronaphthylamines, phenylnitropropanes and the like; aromatic nitrosoamines such as nitrosobenzene and the like; and azo compounds such as azobenzene and substituted azobenzenes such as N-dimethylp-aminoazobenzene, p-hydroxyazobenzene, 1- phenylazo-2-naphtho1 and the like. The nitrogen compounds may contain chlorine, alkoxy or aryloxy substituents, for example, chloroaminobenzenes, nitroanisoles, nitrodiphenyloxides and the like, which substituents have no substantial activating influence. However, when amino, hydroxy or alkyl substituents arepresent, as previously mentioned, the compound is activated as a result thereof.

In the preparation of tertiary amines, N-monoalkylated secondary amines may be used as starting materials, as is obvious, especially when a tertiary amine with two difierent substituents on the amino nitrogen atom is the desired product. As heretofore mentioned, the presence of activating groups in the nitrogen compounds particularly hydroxy,-amino, and substituted amino groups, and particularly those para or ortho to the reacting nitrogen-containing radical, influence the degree of alkylation effected and the ease of the reaction.

Carbonyl compounds which may be used in the reaction include both aliphatic as well as aromatic .aldehydes and ketones. Aldehydes are more reactive than ketones, as heretofore mentioned, and ketones in most cases cannot be used to effect alkylation beyond the formation of secondary amines. Examples of aldehydes and ketones which may be used in the processes are formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehydes, pentaldehydes, hexaldehydes, heptaldehydes, benza'ldehyde, acetone, ethyl methyl ketone,.diethyl ketone, acetophenone, propiophenone and methyl phenyl diketone and the like. Generally branched-chain or arboraceous aldehydes and ketones do not react as readily as straight-chain compounds. Formaldehyde, as heretofore mentioned, may lead to complications. Although I have referred to alkylation throughout this specification it is to be understood that the term when used in the broad sense includes the introduction of aralkyl groups such as is effected by the use of benzaldehyde and the like, as

well as alkyl groups. The process of the invention, however, finds its greatest applicability in the case of aliphatic aldehydes whose use in such reactions has not heretofore been possible in a facile manner.

Although I have particularly referred to reaction mixtures containing carbonyl compounds and nitrogen compounds as starting materials, condensation products of the two, or intermediate products of their reductive alleviation may be used.

As hydrogenation catalysts for the reduction, Raney nickel catalysts, platinum black, palladium black and platinum oxide and similar low-pressure hydrogenation catalysts are preferred. Catalysts such as copper chromite are not operative at the low temperatures and pressures contemplated by the present processes. When using acid conditions of reaction, platinum oxide catalysts are preferred to Raney nickel catalysts. With respect to choice of catalyst, it isalso to be noted that certain hydrogenation catalysts are more sensitive to chlorine and sulfur compounds than others and hence if the compounds involved in any particular reaction contain halogen or sulfur substituents, proper selection of a catalyst to avoid complications should be made. The proportion or catalyst used for the reaction may be varied over a wide range, as illustrated in certain of the examples.

The alkaline conditions referred to in this specification may be obtained by the use of sodium acetate, sodium propionate, sodium butyrate. so-

dium stearate, sodium carbonate, and in general,

other alkali-metal salts of weak organic acids, as

disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 332,975. Sodium hydroxide gives a lower yield of product than sodium acetate and in some cases completely suppresses alkylation, hence is to be avoided. Generally grams to 20 or more grams 4 of fused sodium acetate should be used for each mol of nitrogen compound taking part in the reaction and the yields are not materially changed by the presence of greater proportions. Fused acids and weak organic bases, containing no alkylatable hydrogen atoms attached tovthe nitrogen atom, preferably salts of, tertiary amines. Mineral acids such as hydrochloric acid and the like cannot be used advantageously. Approximately 30 to 100 grams of glacial acetic acid, for example, to each mol of reacting nitrogen compound should be used.

The reactions may be carried out in various solvents. The examples illustrate the use of 95% ethyl alcohol and dioxane as a solvent but ethyl acetate, methyl alcohol, isopropyl, alcohol,, isopropyl ether and the like may be used. The essential requisite of the solvent is that it b inert in the reaction and that it dissolve the sodium' acetate, trimethylamine hydrochloride or other agent used to facilitate the reaction.

The proportion of reactants in the reaction mixture is not of paramount importance. Generally the carbonyl compound should be in excess by that of nitrobenzene and an aldehyde (RCHO) which mayberepresentedasfollows:

H: ECHO N0. 0 NHOH N-benzylphenylhydroxylamine prepared by interrupting. the reductive alkylation of nitrobenzene with benzaldehyde. condenses with n-butyraldehyde in an acid medium to given N-benzyl- N-n-butylaniline. The yield is 38% when 2 mole of butyraldehyde are present to each mol of benzylphenylhydroxylamine (Ex. XVII).

'As used herein andin the claims the term weak organic acid" is to be understood to signify monocarboxylic aliphatic acids such as acetic acid, formic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, dicarboxylic and polycarboxylic acids and the like and to distinguish from strong organic acids such as benzenesulfonic acids and similar non-carboxylic acids and mineral acids. 7

Inasmuch as the foregoing description com- 85 prises preferred embodiments of 'the invention it or that required by the particular reaction which it is desired to eflect.

The temperatures which may be used in the reactions vary from normal room temperatures to approximately 100 0., although the preferred range is about 10 to 40 C. Generally the reaction will proceed without the addition of extraneous heat and with large batches cooling may be desirable to control the reaction. Likewise, the may be varied greatly, for example, from normal atmospheric pressure to 10 or more atmospheres. Preferred pressure conditions, however, are from 2 to 4 atmospheres. 7

By interrupting the reductive alkylatlon of aromatic nitrocompounds with aliphatic or ammatic aldehydes according to the present invention at an intermediate sta e it is po'lsible to procedure I am able to produce substituted hydrosylaminesand aminophenols in an advantageous manner. Furthermore, these intermediate products indicate the probable mechanism of reductive alkylation processes according to the in- .vention. Brieflythereactionsmsybetypiflod is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited thereto and that-modifications and variations may be made therein to adapt the invention to other specific uses without departing substantially from its spirit or scope as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The process of producing N-di-n-butylaniline comprising the hydrogenation of a mixture of butyraldehyde and nitrobcnzene in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst and acetic acid at a temperature within the range of approximately 15 to 100 C. and at a pressure of approximately 1 to 4 atmospheres. 2. The process of producing an N-butylsted aromatic amine comprising the hydrogenation ct a-mixture of-an aromatic nitro compound and a butyraldehyde in the presence of a hydrogenation cstslystand a agentconsisting of aceticscid.

3. The process of producing an N-alkylated .aromaticaminecomnrisingthebydrogenationof amixtursotansromaticnitrocompoundI-udan aliphatic aldehyde inthe presence of a hydrothercharacterlnsdinthstthecondensingsgent isaceticscids 

